School of Rock Grateful Dead Tribute

August 18, 2009 10:13:20 AM PDT

August 18, 2009 --

Most musical schools have end of term concerts. But they're nothing like the shows presented by the School of Rock in Chicago. Don't expect your father's recital from this group. Inspired by their rock-history lessons this summer, School of Rock students will present a Grateful Dead tribute concert this weekend.The tribute performers were not alive when the Grateful Dead hit the music scene in 1965; some of their parents might even be too young to remember the group's glory days. But introducing students to the music of this legendary band is right in line with the motto of the performance-based rock music program: "Saving rock and roll, one kid at a time." School of Rock students receive 45-minute private lessons on the instrument of their choice. They also participate in weekly 3-hour supervised rehearsals to prepare them for their live concerts. Past shows have included tributes to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, and the Beatles. This year the students have become Deadheads.

The Grateful Dead embodies all the elements of the American counterculture of the Sixties, says Ethan Semone, the School of Rock music director. Inspired by American folklore and folk rock revival, Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir introduced electric guitars while Phil Lesh added his schooled classical and electronic musical background, Semone says. Over their thirty years of touring, playing, and recording, the Grateful Dead matured and fused together many music styles including rock, folk, bluegrass, reggae, country, jazz, psyche, gospel, and long musical improvisations. Thus, the Grateful Dead became the pioneering godfathers of the jam world, Semone adds.

The Grateful Dead tribute will take place on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 at 6pm at the Kinetic Playground located at 1113 W. Lawrence. Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

The school is located at 3043 N. Ashland near Lake View, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and the Kennedy. Chicago's Paul Green School of Rock Music offers instruction in guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and vocals with open enrollment to all abilities and experience levels, for ages 8-18.

For more information about the show or for enrollment, call 773-857-3804 or e-mail Chicago@schoolofrock.com.